Page images
PDF
EPUB

With regard to the Liturgy, the Bishop is of opinion that the French versions now in use in the churches in the Channel Islands, may be safely adopted by the Society, subject to certain corrections; the portions of Scripture being hereafter to be taken from the proposed new version of the Society.

The Committee have agreed, upon the representation of several gentlemen who are acquainted with the state of the Greek church, and with the state of religion on the eastern shores of the Mediterranean, to undertake a new translation of the Liturgy into moderu Greek; and, with that view, have entered into communication with a clergyman now residing in Greece. It is considered that much advantage may be derived from the circulation of our Liturgy among the eastern churches, many of which are known to be favourably disposed to the Church of England.

The Committee have taken measures, through the means of the Rev. Edward Law, their agent at St. Petersburgh, to procure a manuscript translation of the Liturgy, in the Russian language, of which a favourable report has been sent to them by that gentleman, and by another clergyman formerly resident in Russia.

A translation of the Liturgy into the Dutch language, has been completed, under the superintendence of the Rev. Dr. Bosworth, the British chaplain at Rotterdamn, and is now in

the press. been anxiously inquired for, not only in Holland, but by the English Clergy, and the District Committee at the Cape of Good Hope. It is also considered that it may be found useful in Demerara, Berbice, Surinam, Java, and in some parts of the United States of America, where the Dutch language is still retained.

Such a translation has

As the announcement of this work, and the means which have been employed to make the version a standard work in the Dutch language, have excited some interest in Holland, the Committee think it right to state the rules which were laid down for accomplishing the translation.

1. That the translation shall be made by native Dutchnien, and shall

be as close as the idiom of the two languages will allow; retaining, as much as possible, the devotional feelings and spirit of the original; taking as a guide, the edition of 1711.

2. No foreign words or idioms to be admitted; and the legalized orthography of Professor Seigenbeck, the reformer of the Dutch language, to be universally adopted.

3. Where the Scriptures are quoted, it must be from the Dutch authorized version.

4. The work shall be divided among men of well known talents and knowledge of English.

5. When each has finished his assigned portion, the whole must be read over and corrected by the assembled translators. Thus corrected, it is to be sent to two professors of Leyden, who are to examine it as they would an original Dutch work, altering every word and turn of expression which are contrary to the true Dutch idiom. The copy is then to be returned to the translators, to see that the sense is not impaired.

The Committee are aware that it will be impossible to follow this example in all cases: but they are desirous that all the versions published under their sanction, should be as complete as possible, so that they may be considered standard works in the languages into which they are respectively made.

It will be the object of the Committee, in conducting its operations, to adhere in all respects to the rules and principles of the Society; and both in the employment of translators and the selection of agents, to take care that they shall be such as shall be consistent with the character of the Society, as an institution formed for the purpose of promoting christian knowledge, according to the doctrine and discipline of the Church of England.

The Committee have to report to the Board, that contributions to the amount of 4891. 5s. 9d. have been received, and the annual subscriptions are 71. 18s. Associations in aid of their objects have been formed at Doncaster, Nottingham, Newark, Ripon, Cheltenham, and Retford.

These associations are allowed, by the resolution of the Board, to purchase

English Bibles and Prayer-books, at cost prices, from the nearest district Committee; and they are at liberty to make their own regulations for the supply of their Subscribers.

SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING CHRISTIAN
KNOWLEDGE.

THE following is the substance of the Report read to the Board on Tuesday, the 7th of April, and confirmed May 5th, 1835.

The Standing Committee beg to report to the Board, in reference to the commercial transactions of the Society, that having, with the assistance of a Sub-Committee appointed for the purpose, taken into consideration the best means of carrying into effect the principles contained in their former Report, as adopted at the General Meeting in February last, they have agreed to recommend the several measures which follow, as contained in the Report of the Sub-Committee.

1. With regard to the first resolution, the Sub-Committee having consulted Messrs. Rivington as to the period which will be most convenient to them for the termination of their present engagements with the Society, beg to recommend that those engagements shall cease at the close of March 1836.

With regard to the transfer of the stock which may be on hand at the close of their engagements, and to the premises taken by them for the Society's books, the Sub-Committee have received from Messrs. Rivington proposals; and having considered these proposals, with reference to the Report and Resolutions already agreed to by the Board, in which it is determined that the arrangements should be made upon liberal terms, beg to recommend that the proposed terms for the transfer of the stock, and the lease of the warehouse, be acceded to by the Society.

2. With reference to the second resolution, the Sub-Committee recommend that a suitable depository for the sale of the Society's publications, and for other business connected with the Society's operations, be erected on the site of the offices in Great Queen

street, lately occupied by the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel. The Sub-Committee have had plans and estimates prepared by the Society's builders, from which it appears that the expense of a building suitable for the purpose will not exceed 2,100l., exclusive of fixtures; and as the ground is the Society's freehold, no additional charge would be incurred in the shape of rent. It is considered that ample room will be found in the building for the whole of that part of the stock which must be kept ready for delivery to the members and the public,-namely, the bound books and tracts. The stock in sheets may be conveniently kept, for the present, in the warehouse in Lovell's Court, into which it would be received from the printer's, and from which it would be given out to the binders, at the usual times. The binders would then bring it into the depository, where it would be ready for delivery.

The Sub-Committee recommend that a retail department form part of the establishment at the depository, from which the members of the Society, and the public, may obtain the Society's publications without trouble or delay.

3. In reference to the Superintendent, the Sub-Committee recommend that his salary be fixed at 400l. a-year; that he should be required to find two securities in a joint and several bond of 1,000l. each; and that he should engage to devote the whole of his time to the business of the Society.

The Sub-Committee beg to state that they have had an offer of the services of a gentleman, who has been recommended as a person of moral and religious character, and who appears to them to be peculiarly qualified for the office of superintendent, from the circumstance of his having had the principal management of an establishment in which more than 400 persons are employed; and in which he has been accustomed to make contracts for paper and printing, and to transact business with other societies: and they recommend that this gentleman be appointed to the office.

The Sub-Committee have obtained from him an estimate of the number of persons requisite for assisting the

superintendent in the management of this department, and the salaries which should be paid.

The whole amount of these salaries, including that of the superintendent, will be 860l. per annum. But the Committee consider, that as additional assistance may be required, the amount of these salaries should be estimated at 1,000l. per annum. Το this must be added about 2001. for rent and taxes of the warehouse in Paternoster Row, and about 100l. a year for insurance; making a total of 1,300l. per annum for the expenses of this department. This estimate is very much less than that upon which the former calculations were made.

With regard to the management of the establishment, the Sub-Committee consider that it would be impossible to determine with certainty so long beforehand the best arrangement of all the details; but they recommend that all the transactions in the retail department should be, as far as possible, for ready money: that they

should be under the immediate control of the superintendent, who should be accountable to the Society's accountant: that the person in charge of the retail department under the superintendent, should be required to

find two securities, to the amount of 2001. each: and that the cash accounts of this department should be balanced and settled every day.

An exact account of the whole stock should be taken at least once a year, or oftener, if practicable.

The Sub-Committee also recommend, that in future all the Society's accounts shall be paid monthly.

With regard to the amount of money requisite for carrying on the business of the Society, the Sub-Committee beg to report, that from a statement furnished by Messrs. Rivington, it appears, that the value of their stock of the Society's publications, at the present time, amounts to about $4,000/. This may be estimated as the probable amount at the time of the transfer. And as the Society has at present upwards of 32,000/. in capital, employed in accounts which are owing by the members and by District Committees, the Committee have every reason to believe that the sum required in addition to this would not exceed 35,000l.

The Sub-Committee have examined the affairs of the Society, and feel assured that the above amount may be invested in the manner proposed without danger, and with advantage to its interests.

POLITICAL RETROSPECT.

DOMESTIC. THE Whigs are, it is evident, any thing but comfortable in their political anticipations. Lord John Russell has been thrown out of Devonshire; Grant has met with a similar fate in Invernesshire; Essex has returned a conservative in the person of John Elwes, Esq., a worthy successor to Lord Ashburton (A. Baring); whilst South Stafford, spurning the base faction, who would ride_rough-shod over the liberties of England, have shown Lord Hatherton that he cannot convert an independent county into a rotten borough. The question then becomes, What will the Whigs do?-appeal to the country?" appeal from Philip drunk, to Philip sober?" We should like to see them. We know the spirit that is abroad. We are confident

that the constituency of England will not suffer themselves to be swamped by the booing Scots and treacherous Irish Papists. We have no doubt, that if any unholy alliance ventures to attack the British Constitution, the electors of England will show that they can beat the provincials; and the empire must be saved.

In the mean time, we earnestly recommend to our readers the absolute, the pressing necessity of attending to the registration of votes. If this had been done previous to the late election,-Westminster would have returned two conservatives,-Middlesex would have sent Hume to bless the Duke of Argyle, and the city of London would have been rescued from the hands of an ignorant and bruta. lized rabble,—in fact, Sir Robert Peel

would have at this moment been PrimeMinister! Symptoms of a better state of things indeed greet us on every side; conservative clubs, based on sound constitutional principles, and intended to watch and defeat the underhand manœuvres of the whig-radico faction, are organized in almost every town of the kingdom; and their combined and will-directed efforts must produce a stupendous effect on the destinies of the country. Earnestly, therefore, do we entreat both Clergy and Laity, who "fear God, and honour the King,"who value their own personal interest in the peace and prosperity of England, to rally round this conservative standard, wherever erected, and do their possible for the "land they live in."

PRUSSIA.-The Prussian Commercial Union, which has for some considerable time attracted the attention of the mercantile world, and caused no inconsiderable anxiety on the Royal Exchange, continues, we observe, to extend itself among the States of Germany, and will soon have drawn them all, as well as Austria itself, within the influence of its comprehensive policy. By the accounts extracted from the German Papers, Nassau, it appears, is about to join this commercial combination, which will do more injury to the commerce and manufactures of England, than ever was, or could be effected, by NAPOLEON, through his celebrated Berlin and Milan decrees. We allude to this, because we cannot shut our eyes to the imbecility which presides over the foreign policy of the kingdom. The interests of the country are sacrificed, while Lords Palmerston and John Russell are struggling to maintain their personal objects.

FRANCE.-The French Parliament continues occupied with the trial of the rioters; but the conduct of the government is in the highest degree undignified; and the representatives of the most polished nation in the world convert the Chamber of Deputies into a bear garden!-So much for the best possible form of government!

SPAIN. Every fresh dispatch from the seat of war proves that Don Carlos is daily gaining ground. Mina, the fourth butcher, has been succeeded

by the worthy Valdez, who swore to exterminate the Carlists in a fortnight; but La Cupitano Spavente might devour his slain without being inconvenienced by indigestion: for he has been beaten at all points, and Zumalacarreguy, (we delight to record his honest and patriotic name,) is by this time in full march to Madrid, at the head of an ariny, which, before it reaches the capital, will amount to fifty thousand fighting men!!

PORTUGAL "The funeral baked meats," it would appear, will "coldly furnish forth the marriage table" of the young queen. The Chronica and Gazeta, indeed, talk of nothing but the brother of the deceased prince, as the destined successor; whilst the rightful monarch, Don Miguel, is alluded to by some parties. We do not think either throne or consort worth a dump, and therefore shall leave the discussion to the thieves and murderers of Lisbon, and their worthy allies, the refuse of St. Giles and Saffron-Hill, to whom the little queen owes her temporary possession of the throne of the House of Braganza.

SOUTH AMERICAN REPublics. We do not often trouble our heads about the "sayings and doings" of these fungi; but we cannot avoid letting the admirers of republican institutions know, now and then, what they may look for, should their theories ever prevail in this country.

Ecce signum! By the Buenos Ayres papers, we learn that that republic had been the scene of a tragical occurrence. The late governor, QUIROGA, with a suite of ten persons, returning from a mission of mediation, were attacked by a band of assassins, and murdered in cold blood! so that even the sacred character of a mediator is not recognized by these Popish apostles of freedom. We should almost suspect some of Mr. Dan O'Connell's religious proselytes were concerned in this outrage. We know, indeed, the O'Slaughters, or Irish Jesuits, are pretty generally scattered over the surface of every country where the cause of Popery prevails.

We can only say that our motto shall be the good old English toast"CHURCH AND KING, AND NO PoPERY!"

UNIVERSITY, ECCLESIASTICAL, AND PAROCHIAL INTELLIGENCE.

TRIBUTES OF RESPECT.

REV. J. B. OWEN.-A Bible, communion service, and silver salver, have been presented to the Rev. J. B. Owen, minister of Walsall Wood, for his undaunted zeal, fidelity, and ability, in the discharge of his duties as a faithful monitor in the cause of our holy religion, and an uncompromising advocate of the precepts and doctrines of the Church of England.

REV. THOMAS HARDWICKE.-A very handsome silver salver, with a suitable inscription, has lately been presented by the parishioners of St. Mary, Rotherhithe, London, to the Rev. Thomas Hardwicke, M.A. the Curate, on occasion of his quitting the parish, after a residence and ministry of nearly fourteen years.

REV. HENRY JAMES NEWBERY.-A few days since, a deputation of the inhabitants of the parish of Hammersmith, headed by Mr. Churchwarden Morrison, waited on their late Curate, the Rev. Henry James Newbery, who has recently been most handsomely presented by the Corporation of London to the Rectory of St. Margaret Pattens, Rood-lane, and St. Gabriel, Fenchurch, for the purpose of presenting him with a handsome silver salver, of the value of thirty guineas, and a purse of 251. (the surplus of the subscription voluntarily entered into for that purpose by the inhabitants)," as a token of their respect and attachment, and also as a testimonial of their estimation of the kind and exemplary manner in which the important duties of a Christian Minister were performed" by him during his residence amongst them. The Reverend gentleman was much affected by the kind manner in which the sentiments of the parishioners were expressed by Mr. Morrison; and, in returning thanks, concluded by beseeching God "to pour forth his choicest blessings upon them, upon their respected Vicar, and upon all his late fellow-parishioners, and their respective families, to the latest generation."

REV. A. D. MORRICE. The parishioners of Great Brickhill, Bucks, have presented to the Rev. A. D. Morrice, Curate of that parish for upwards of twenty years, a splendid silver goblet, with the following inscription :-" Presented to the Rev. Andrew Morrice, late Curate of the Parish of Great Brickhill, Bucks, by the churchwardens and inhabitants, as a tribute of affection and esteem for himself and family, in testimony of the union that has long subsisted between them-in acknowledgment of the zeal and undeviating attention which have characterised the performance of his numerous and arduous duties-and the kindness he has manifested in alleviating the wants of the distressed."

PROFESSOR AIRY.-Every admirer of true talent, and friend of the University, will be rejoiced to hear that Sir Robert Peel has communicated to Professor Airy his Majesty's intention of allowing him an annuity of 300l. in consideration of the eminent services which he has rendered to the cause of general science.

NEW ORGAN.-A very valuable Organ has just been presented to the parish of Mapledurham by their universally respected and esteemed Vicar, Lord Augustus Fitzclarence. On the 24th instant it will be opened, and as the choir of children have recently been instructed in psalmody, this portion of Divine Service will be now excellently performed.

KING'S COLLEGE.-On Wednesday, April 30, the annual meeting of the Court of Proprietors of King's College was held for the purpose of receiving the report of the Council, conformably with the direction of the charter. The Archbishop of Canterbury presided. There was a very numerous attendance of the students: and amongst the proprietors were the Bishop of London, the Bishop of Winchester, Sir R. Inglis, Sir A. Cooper, &c. The secretary read the report, which stated that, in the class of regular students in the senior department, there had been a considerable and progressive increase of numbers. A similar increase had taken place in the junior department. The entire number of students who had entered between the 1st of

« PreviousContinue »